(CNN) — Russia has “many more” nuclear bombs than the United States and Europe, but discussions about a possible nuclear war are not necessary, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday.
Russia has nuclear weapons that are more powerful than the bombs the Americans used against Hiroshima and Nagasaki, “but it won’t come to this,” Putin said during a discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
“There is no need to think about it [la guerra nuclear]. And I would ask anyone not to mention any of that,” she said.
Putin said Russian forces continue to gain experience and are “increasing their effectiveness.” The Russian defense industry has increased projectile production by 20%, and Russian forces are also “exceeding the capabilities of our enemies” when it comes to aircraft and tanks, he said.
Russia will not supply weapons “tomorrow” to other countries, but reserves the right to do so
Russia is not currently supplying weapons to other countries in retaliation for Western arms shipments to Ukraine, but reserves the right to do so, Putin said on Friday.
“As for the fact that we are supplying weapons… We are not supplying them yet, but we reserve the right to do so to those states or even some structures that are experiencing pressures on themselves, including of a military nature, from those countries that supply weapons to Ukraine and ask that they be used against us, against Russian territory,” Putin said.
Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, he further justified this stance, questioning: “If they [los países occidentales] “They deliver them to a combat zone and demand the use of these weapons, why don’t we have the right to do the same, in response as a mirror?”
Putin clarified that he does not expect immediate measures to be taken, as this would trigger “a series of circumstances” in several regions.
“I am also not willing to say that we will do it tomorrow, because any delivery of this type is associated with a series of circumstances that in one way or another affect certain regions of the world and, of course, we must think about it.”
This statement follows Putin’s earlier warning to Western countries, highlighting the risks of supplying weapons to Ukraine and suggesting that such actions could lead to Russia arming its adversaries.
Putin says that “all armed conflicts end with certain peace agreements”
President Putin said that “all armed conflicts end with certain peace agreements.”
He added that Russia “must seek conditions that correspond to our interests and are reliable,” but did not elaborate on what that condition would be.
However, he accused the West of being deceitful in its approach to the talks, saying “they are deceived at every step. “They say one thing, they do another.”
Putin also said “either on the basis of military defeat or on the basis of victory.” Without a doubt we will strive and achieve victory.”
With reporting by Seb Shukla and Anna Chernova
